It's been a long day at the dragon ranch, and you're glad to finally be home. You change out of your slightly singed work clothes into your bunny-print pajamas, climb into bed, and wrap the blankets around you burrito-style. You're almost asleep when . . . [[BANG!->Federal Court 1]]
(set: $final to false)
//Pssst: Don't use your browser's back button unless you want to lose all your progress! Instead, use the back and forward links to the left of the text. They'll appear when you hover your mouse over there.//
//Pssssst again: This game will work best in fullscreen mode - click the icon in the lower right-hand corner.//The loud noise startles you awake, and you open your eyes to find yourself in a wood-paneled courtroom. You're sitting where you'd expect the judge to be, and to your right is what looks like a human-sized octopus wearing a suit. One of its arms holds a gavel.
"Thank you for joining us, Judge . . . ?" says the octopus, somehow.
[["Judge Hork."->Federal Court 2]]
[["Hand. Learned Hand."->Federal Court 2]]
[["Just 'Judge' is fine."->Federal Court 2]]
(click: "Judge Hork.")[(set: $name to "Hork")]
(click: "Hand. Learned Hand.")[(set: $name to "Hand")]
(click: "Just 'Judge' is fine.")[(set: $name to "Judge")]
["What's happening?"]<you1| you whisper to the octopus with the gavel.
(hidden:)["Well," says the octopus, "you're on the planet Gravlax. Or at least your mind is; your body's still asleep on Earth. Gravlaxians have been obsessed with the American court system ever since one of our astronauts returned from an expedition with the entire Law & Order box set. So we built a theme park! And sometimes we abduct real Earthlings for special events. You know all about federal jurisdiction, right?"
[["Uh...well...no."->Federal Court 4]]]<phil1|
(click: ?you1)[(show: ?phil1)]
A greenish octopus glops up to the podium. Each arm is wearing a watch.
"I work for the United States Department of the Treasury in the mail room, and in my spare time I make watches. I usually speak at the annual watchmakers' conference and get a small honorarium to help cover my costs. But Congress just passed a law prohibiting all government employees from receiving honoraria for speaking! That means I can't afford to go to the conference this year. I think this law infringes on my constitutional right to freedom of expression."
[[Ask Phil for help->Case 1-fed hints]]
[["This court does have jurisdiction over this case."->Correct-fed]]
[["Sorry, federal courts lacks jurisdiction over cases like this."->Incorrect-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "fedq")
(set: $citation1 to "United States v. Treasury Employees, 513 U.S. 454 (1995)")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.oyez.org/cases/1994/93-1170")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Supreme Court case holding that a similar law did violate the 1st Amendment)")
(set: $citation2 to "U.S. Const. art. III, § 2")
(set: $url2 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleiii")
(set: $parenthetical2 to "(Section of the U.S. Constitution describing the jurisdiction of the federal courts)")
(set: $citation3 to "28 U.S.C. § 1331")
(set: $url3 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1331")
(set: $parenthetical3 to "(Federal statute authorizing federal question jurisdiction)")
}Phil explains that federal courts are courts of //limited jurisdiction// - they can only hear the kinds of cases specifically permitted by the Constitution or by acts of Congress. That includes cases based on the federal Constitution and on federal laws...
[[Thanks, Phil!->Case 1-fed]]
"Nicely done," says Phil.
{(if: $jurbasis is "fedq")["We have jurisdiction over this case because it's based on federal law, such as the Constitution or statutes that Congress has passed."]
(if: $jurbasis is "diversity")["We have jurisdiction over this case because the parties are from different states and the amount they're fighting over is more than $75,000, the two requirements for exercising diversity jurisdiction."]
(if: $jurbasis is "none")["We can't hear this case; it's not based on federal law, and the parties are from the same state, so there's neither federal question jurisdiction nor diversity jurisdiction."]}
[[Ready for the next plaintiff.->Federal Court 5]]
(if: $citation1 is not false)[//Psst! Want to know more? Take a look at these statutes and cases.//]
(if: $citation1 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation1)[(open-url:$url1)] $parenthetical1]{
}(if: $citation2 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation2)[(open-url:$url2)] $parenthetical2]{
}(if: $citation3 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation3)[(open-url:$url3)] $parenthetical3]Phil grabs your arm. "Are you sure, your Honor? {
(if: $jurbasis is "fedq")[Looks like the plaintiff's claim is based on federal law..."]
(if: $jurbasis is "diversity")[The parties are from different states and the amount is more than $75,000, so..."]
(if: $jurbasis is "none")[I don't see how federal law is involved, and the parties are from the same state. What's the basis for jurisdiction?"]
}
(link-reveal:"Yes, I'm sure.")[
Phil rolls his eyes. "Okay. Well, you're wrong. Try clicking the next one down."]
{(if: $jurbasis is "none")[[[There's no federal jurisdiction over this case.->Correct-fed]]]
(if: $jurbasis is not "none")[[[This court does have jurisdiction.->Correct-fed]]]
}{(set: $state_case_number to $state_case_number+1)
(if: ($state_case_number is not 3) and (not $final))["Alright!" Geraldine yells. "Judge $name will hear your case now, whoever's got [[ticket #$state_case_number!"->Case $state_case_number-state]]]
}(if: $state_case_number is 3)[Before Geraldine can call out the next number, a somewhat disheveled octopus shambles up to the podium and asks to approach the bench. (That's you!)
["Um...sure."]<yes|(click: ?yes)[
The octopus hands you and Geraldine each a copy of a document titled "Notice of Removal," then looks at you expectantly. You, in turn, look at your clerk.
[["What's going on, Geraldine?"->Case 3-state]]
]]{
}(if: $final)[As Geraldine calls out ticket $state_case_number, your vision starts to blur. You blink and blink but that just makes it worse. The colors of the cephalopod audience start to run together, like sidewalk chalk getting rained on - then the colors start to dim, and soon everything is pitch-black.
[[Rub your eyes ->Wakeup sequence]]
[[Scream a lot ->Wakeup sequence]]
[[Take a nap ->Wakeup sequence]]
]
This octopus is wearing a cowboy hat and starts out with a terrible impression of a Texas drawl. "My employer fired me and told me it was because I'm from Gravlax! I'm pretty sure the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of national origin. I want my job back."
[[Ask Phil for help->Case 2-fed hints]]
[[Dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction->Incorrect-fed]]
[[Yes, the court has jurisdiction->Correct-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "fedq")
(set: $citation1 to "42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1)")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2000e%E2%80%932")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Federal statute prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of national origin, among other traits)")
(set: $citation2 to "8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)")
(set: $url2 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324b")
(set: $parenthetical2 to "(Another federal statute prohibiting employers from hiring or firing employees on the basis of national origin)")
(set: $citation3 to false)}"I'm a safe and cautious driver like all Gravlaxachusetts citizens. But last week an out-of-towner from the state of New Gravlax ran a red light and slammed right into my car. I incurred a ton of medical bills and my car is totaled. He owes me at least $100,000 to compensate me for my losses!"
[[Ask Phil for a hint->Case 3-fed hints]]
[[Nope!->Incorrect-fed]]
[[Yep!->Correct-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "diversity")
(set: $citation1 to "28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1332")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Federal statute authorizing diversity jurisdiction)")
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}
"This is just like the first one, right? Sure, she's arguing that an individual has broken the law, not that a law goes against the Constitution. But the Constitution and laws passed by Congress are both federal law, and what matters that she's alleging //federal// law has been violated."
[[Thanks, Phil!->Case 2-fed]]"No federal law here, but this one brings up the other main basis for federal jurisdiction - diversity of citizenship. Federal courts get to hear cases where (a) the defendants and plaintiffs are from different states (or countries) and (b) the amount they're fighting over is more than $75,000."
[Why?]<why|
(click: ?why)["Well, the traditional explanation is that the Constitution's framers were worried that state courts might favor parties from the state over parties from out-of-state. So they gave out-of-state litigants the option to have the case heard in federal courts instead.
[But...]<but|(click: ?but)[there's not actually much evidence that the Framers were worried about state court bias. And diversity jurisdiction is pretty controversial - people have been pushing for its abolition since it began. For now, though, it's here to stay."
[[Got it! Back to the case.->Case 3-fed]]]]
"My car was damaged too! My neighbor (we both live in Gravlaxachusetts) was cutting down a tree in their yard, and it fell the wrong way and crushed my car. They weren't being careful enough, and they should have to compensate me for the car and the work I've had to miss."
[[Ask Phil for help->Case 4-fed hints]]
[[No jurisdiction.->Correct-fed]]
[[Yes jurisdiction.->Incorrect-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "none")
(set: $citation1 to "Whitesell v. Houlton, 632 P.2d 1077 (Haw. App. 1981)")
(set: $link1 to "https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1157119/whitesell-v-houlton/")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Hawai'i state court case analyzing defendant's responsibility for damage caused by tree overhanging his neighbor's yard and house)")
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}"They're from the same state, so there can't be diversity jurisdiction. And cases like this, where one party wants to be repaid by another for damages they've suffered, are almost always pure state law. I don't see any federal law question here, do you?"
[[Thanks, Phil!->Case 4-fed]]
"Great! Well, you're a federal judge now.
Remember that federal courts don't have the power to decide just any case; they can only hear cases when they have jurisdiction over the **issues raised** (subject-matter jurisdiction) and the **parties** (personal jurisdiction).
Forget about personal jurisdiction for now; these superfans just want to hear you decide whether you have subject-matter jurisdiction over their cases."
[["Okay..."->Federal Court 5]]
"Good morning, your honor. I'm a prosecutor with the Gravlax County District Attorney's office. We'd like to bring charges against Peter Pulpo for the cold-blooded murder of his brother Paul. Should we do that in this court? Or in state court?"
[[Ask Phil for help->Case 5-fed hints]]
[[No jurisdiction.->Correct-fed]]
[[Yes jurisdiction.->Incorrect-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "none")
(set: $citation1 to "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 1")
(set: $url1 to "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section1")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Massachusetts - er, Gravlaxachusetts - statute defining murder)")
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}"Most crimes are defined by state law - federal criminal law mostly deals with activities that cross state lines or implicate national interests, and more "classic" crimes like theft, reckless driving, murder, etc. are left to the states. And if the state is prosecuting it, it ''must'' bring the case in state court."
[[Okay.->Case 5-fed]]The octopus that walks up next is wearing a bright green suit and a powdered wig. "Your Honor, I'm an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Gravlaxachusetts. We've prepared a case against several Gravlaxachusetts residents who have committed acts of piracy on the high seas! This is a crime under federal law. Is this the right court in which to bring those charges?
[[Ask Phil for a hint.->Case 6-fed hints]]
[[Yes, the court has jurisdiction.->Correct-fed]]
[[No, the court lacks jurisdiction.->Incorrect-fed]]
{
(set: $jurbasis to "fedq")
(set: $final to true)
(set: $citation1 to "18 U.S.C. § 1652")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1652")
(set: $parenthetical1 to '(A U.S. citizen committing certain acts "on the high seas...is a pirate, and shall be imprisoned for life.")')
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}"Looks like a case based on federal law to me! I think you know what that means. But remember - most crimes are prohibited by state law, not federal law. And if it's not a federal crime, federal courts can't hear the case."
[[Yikes.->Case 6-fed]](if: $last_dream is "fed")[After falling for about a thousand years, you hit the ground! Oh...wait...no, you're just back in your bed. It's good to be back on Earth, although you've sweated through your pajamas. And was that black robe hanging on the door before you went to bed?
The clock says 4:30am; definitely not time to get up yet. You change into some less sweaty pajamas (these ones have sheep), try to get cozy again, and eventually drift off to [[sleep.->State Court 1]]
]{
}(if: $last_dream is "state")[The lights come back on all at once! Ouch. Wait...that's just the sun through your window. You're back in your bed. [[What a weird night.->Summary]]
]A tiny peach-colored octopus floats up to the podium. "I've got some credit card debt, and I'm working to pay it off, but this collection agency says I also owe really high interest and extra fees that I never agreed to! They also keep calling my house and threatened to steal my cat. I paid some of the fees they asked for but I think these are unfair and abusive practices that violate federal law - the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I should get those fees back and they need to leave my cat alone!"
[[Ask the clerk for a hint.->Case 1-state hints]]
[[This case should be in federal court, not state court.->Incorrect-state]]
[[This court may hear the case.->Correct-state]]
{
(set: $state_jur to true)
(set: $fed_jur to true)
(set: $citation1 to "15 U.S.C. §§ 1692d, 1692f")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692f")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Sections of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibiting threats, harassment, and unfair practices like charging fees which the debtor never authorized)")
(set: $citation2 to "15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)")
(set: $url2 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1692k")
(set: $parenthetical2 to "(Providing that federal //or// other courts may hear cases brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act)")
(set: $citation3 to "Tafflin v. Levitt, 493 U.S. 455 (1990)")
(set: $url3 to "https://www.oyez.org/cases/1989/88-1650")
(set: $parenthetical3 to "(Supreme Court case reaffirming that state courts have jurisdiction over federal law claims unless federal law expressly says otherwise)")}"Good morning, your honor. I'm a prosecutor with the Gravlax County District Attorney's office. We have ample evidence that a certain young miscreant broke into Dennis Seven-Arms' greenhouse and stole his prize bonsai tree. We've decided to bring charges against him for breaking and entering and larceny, which are crimes under Gravlaxachusetts law. Should we do that in this court or in a different jurisdiction?"
[[Ask the clerk for a hint.->Case 2-state hints]]
[[Sorry, this court can't hear that case.->Incorrect-state]]
[[Yep, bring it in this court.->Correct-state]]
{
(set: $state_jur to true)
(set: $fed_jur to false)
(set: $citation1 to "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 30")
(set: $url1 to "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter266/Section30")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Massachusetts statute defining larceny)")
(set: $citation2 to "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 18")
(set: $url2 to "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter266/Section18")
(set: $parenthetical2 to "(Massachusetts statute defining breaking and entering)")
(set: $citation3 to false)}Geraldine sighs. "Remember that unfair debt collection case? Well, the defendant - the collection agency - decided it would rather have the case heard in federal court. And because there is federal jurisdiction - the plaintiff argues that a federal law has been broken - the defendant gets to 'remove' the case to federal court if it wants."
[[Why would it do that?->Removal-explanation]]
[[Does it work in reverse? Could you remove a case from federal court to state court?->Removal-reverse]]
[[What do we do next?->Removal-effect]]
[[Cool.->State Court 3]]
//Pssst, click this link for the federal statute authorizing removal of cases from state to federal court:// (link-reveal:"28 U.S.C. § 1441")[(open-url:"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1441")] "I'm an illustrator, and I learned recently that clothing store Grurban Groutfitters has been selling t-shirts with my work on them! I didn't give them permission to do so and as the creator, I hold the copyright to these images. This court should order them to stop selling these shirts!"
[[Ask the clerk for a hint.->Case 4-state hints]]
[[Sure, this court can hear this case.->Incorrect-state]]
[[Nope! Take it to federal court.->Correct-state]]
{
(set: $state_jur to false)
(set: $fed_jur to true)
(set: $citation1 to "28 U.S.C. § 1338")
(set: $url1 to "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/1338")
(set: $parenthetical1 to '(Federal statute providing that state courts have no jurisdiction over cases about "patents, plant variety protection, or copyrights")')
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}"My neighbor's pet zebra attacked me! I keep telling her that wild animals belong in the wild, but she just ignores me. It broke my leg and some ribs, and bit my shoulder; my medical bills are through the roof and I'm still in a lot of pain."
[[Ask the clerk for a hint.->Case 5-state hints]]
[[This court can hear the case.->Correct-state]]
[[Sounds like it doesn't belong in state court.->Incorrect-state]]
{
(set: $final to true)
(set: $state_jur to true)
(set: $fed_jur to false)
(set: $citation1 to "Smith v. Jalbert, 351 Mass. 432 (1966)")
(set: $url1 to "http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/351/351mass432.html")
(set: $parenthetical1 to "(Massachusetts case involving zebra-related injuries)")
(set: $citation2 to false)
(set: $citation3 to false)
}"Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, remember? They can only hear cases that are specifically permitted - so, federal question and diversity cases. State courts are different. They're courts of ''general'' jurisdiction - so they can hear //anything// unless state or federal law specifically says they can't. And there's nothing that says state courts can't hear Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases..."
[[Thanks!->Case 1-state]]"Didn't Phil go over this with you? I'm beginning to think you're not really a judge. Federal crimes can only be prosecuted in federal court, and state crimes..."
[[Oh. Okay.->Case 2-state]]Geraldine twiddles her tentacles. "He's trying to trip you up! Federal courts have //exclusive// jurisdiction over copyright claims - Congress passed a law saying so. That means that only federal courts can hear copyright infringement cases like this one."
(link-reveal: '"Oh. Um, what else is under exclusive federal jurisdiction?"')[
"Patent and copyright cases are a big category; also bankruptcy, antitrust, and banking regulation cases. Phil already told you how federal crimes can only be tried in federal courts. And if a state sues another state, it has to be in federal court. There are a few other exclusive federal jurisdiction situations, but usually state and federal courts have //concurrent// jurisdiction over issues of federal law."]
[["Tricky! Thanks."->Case 4-state]]"Except for the zebra, this is a pretty run-of-the-mill personal injury case: A causes injury to B, and B wants to be compensated for their pain and suffering and for the money they've lost as a result of the injury. Definitely not a federal law issue!"
[["Thanks, Geraldine."->Case 5-state]]Geraldine nods approvingly. "That's right!"
[[On to the next plaintiff!->State Court 3]]
(if: $citation1 is not false)[//Psst! Want to know more? Take a look at these statutes and cases.//]
(if: $citation1 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation1)[(open-url:$url1)] $parenthetical1]{
}(if: $citation2 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation2)[(open-url:$url2)] $parenthetical2]{
}(if: $citation3 is not false)[* (link-repeat:$citation3)[(open-url:$url3)] $parenthetical3]Geraldine coughs slightly and you sense that she'd be looking down her nose at you if she had one. You begin to rethink your ruling...
[[Ask Geraldine for help.->Case $state_case_number-state hints]]
(link-reveal:"Stick with your initial answer.")[
Geraldine coughs more loudly and starts to look a little menacing. Maybe you've overlooked something.
]
(if: $state_jur)[[[On second thought, this court does have jurisdiction.->Correct-state]]]
(if: not $state_jur)[[[On second thought, this court does not have jurisdiction.->Correct-state]]]You're only a little bit surprised when the next time you open your eyes, you're back in the courtroom. Actually, you realize, this is a different room: slightly smaller, although your clerk is slightly larger, and is green where Phil was pinkish.
"Oh good, Phil sent you along," your clerk says. "I'm Geraldine. You were such a star in federal court that we pulled you back again for another try in state court. Ready? Oh, who cares, let's get started!"
[["B-but..."->State Court 2]]
(set: $last_dream to "state")
(set: $final to false)"Why remove a case to federal court? There are lots of strategic reasons! Federal judges are usually more experienced in applying and interpreting federal law. And cases generally move more quickly in federal court. Plus, federal courts draw juries from larger areas than state courts, so maybe the defendant is angling for some rural jurors if the case goes to trial."
[[Does it work in reverse? Could you remove a case from federal court to state court?->Removal-reverse]]
[[What do we do next?->Removal-effect]]
[[Cool.->State Court 3]]"Nope! It only goes one way. So each party gets a chance to decide whether they want the case in federal court, but once it's there, if the court has jurisdiction, it's there to stay."
[[Why would the defendant remove the case to federal court?->Removal-explanation]]
[[What do we do next?->Removal-effect]]
[[Cool.->State Court 3]]"We don't have to do anything. If the federal court decides it doesn't actually have jurisdiction, it'll send the case back here; but for now, it's totally out of our control and the state court has no responsibility for the case anymore."
[[Why would it do that?->Removal-explanation]]
[[Does it work in reverse? Could you remove a case from federal court to state court?->Removal-reverse]]
[[Cool.->State Court 3]]That's all for now, Your Honor. But unlike many alien abductees, you remember everything about your experience on Gravlax. [Things like...]<0|
{|A)[* When researching, it's important to know whether you're dealing with federal law, state law, both, or neither. This will tell you a lot about where to focus - what courts to look at, where related laws might be found, who might have spoken or written about this law, [etc.]<1|]
|B)[* Federal courts can only hear specific kinds of cases. The two major categories: Cases based on federal law ("federal question" jurisdiction) and cases where the parties are from different states [("diversity" jurisdiction).]<2|]
|C)[* State courts can hear anything that's not expressly outside their jurisdiction. Mostly, that includes federal crimes, intellectual property, financial regulation, and a few other categories of [federal law.]<3|]
|D)[* State courts can usually hear cases based on federal law. But a lot of the time, even if the case starts out in state court, it will be removed to [[federal court.->End]]]
(click:?0)[(show:?A)]
(click:?1)[(show:?B)]
(click:?2)[(show:?C)]
(click:?3)[(show:?D)]
}(if: $federal_case_number is 0)["I'm your clerk, Phil; you can ask me for help if you need any. The guests have paid handsomely for the chance to ask you some questions, so let's not keep them waiting! Oh, and..."
Phil eyes your bunny pajamas and hands you a |robe>[black robe.] (hidden:)[You drape it over yourself. It doesn't breathe very well.]<wearrobe|]
{(set: $federal_case_number to $federal_case_number+1)
}(if: not $final)["Alright!" Phil bellows. [["Who's got ticket #$federal_case_number?->Case $federal_case_number-fed]]]{
}(if: $final)[Phil begins to call up the next plaintiff. But while he's mid-shout, your chair collapses beneath you! Instead of hitting the floor, you go right through it and keep falling. You're almost relieved - this is turning into a much more normal dream.
[[Keep falling ->Wakeup sequence]]
[[Scream a lot ->Wakeup sequence]]
[[Take a nap ->Wakeup sequence]]
(set: $last_dream to "fed")
]
(click: ?robe)[(show: ?wearrobe)]"All rise! United States District Court for the District of Gravlax is now in session, Judge $name presiding."
For the first time, you notice the courtroom is filled with more large octopodes, all of whom have just risen to their tentacles. This is a little unsettling so you ask them to sit back down.
[["Please be seated, everyone."->Federal Court 3]]Geraldine winds a tentacle around a gavel and bangs it three times. "The Gravlaxachussetts Superior Court is now in session, Judge $name presiding!"
"By the way," she whispers to you, "you can assume all these parties live in the state and that the events they're describing took place in the state. To oversimplify things - if there's no connection to the state, no jurisdiction!"
[[Gotcha.->State Court 3]]Welcome to Jurisdoctopus! This game is intended to give you an inside look at U.S. federal and state courts. Very little prior knowledge is required - if you know that the U.S. Constitution, federal courts, and state courts are all things that exist, this game is for you. You'll learn about...
* Some of the differences between state and federal law, and state and federal courts
* The various types of cases that our court systems deal with
* The language you'll encounter working in a legal setting or doing legal or law-related research
* The planet Gravlax
But - the Gravlaxians don't know anything about courtroom procedure. Judges deal with the kind of questions you'll encounter all the time, but this isn't usually how they're presented. That's for the sequel!
[[Click here to start.->Start]]
Jurisdoctopus by Shay Elbaum is licensed under a (link-repeat:"Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.")[(open-url:"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/")]Next time you take a nap, Geraldine appears in your dream. She's got a few last questions for you:
* State courts hear significantly more cases each year than federal courts. Any ideas why that might be?
* You saw a lot of different kinds of cases, but people are great at finding new things to fight about. What other kinds of disputes might come up - and what court(s) would be able to hear them?
* Is there anything else that you learned as a judge that you didn't know before?
Geraldine waves all eight arms at you and disappears in a cloud of ink. You hear her voice as you wake up - "Come visit Gravlax again any time!"
[Start over?]<1|
(click:?1)[(reload:)]